Galectin Modulation in Cancer and Cardiovascular Disorders
Summary
Galectins are a family of carbohydrate-binding proteins that regulate cell–cell and cell–matrix interactions, immune responses and tissue remodelling. In cancer, galectins contribute to tumour progression by enhancing cell aggregation, evading immune surveillance and promoting metastasis through interactions with glycosylated receptors. In the cardiovascular system, galectin-3 in particular is implicated in myocardial fibrosis, heart failure and atherosclerotic plaque development by activating fibroblasts and inflammatory pathways. Modulating galectin activity with small-molecule inhibitors or antagonists has emerged as a promising strategy to attenuate fibrosis, restore normal cellular signalling and improve clinical outcomes in both oncology and cardiology settings.
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Galectin Modulation in Cancer and Cardiovascular Disorders publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in galectin modulation in cancer and cardiovascular disorders across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Galectin: A lectin family member possessing a carbohydrate-recognition domain that binds β-galactosides and mediates cellular adhesion and signalling.
Glycan: A carbohydrate chain attached to proteins or lipids, forming glycoproteins or glycolipids that serve as recognition motifs for lectins.
Fibrosis: Pathological accumulation of extracellular matrix proteins, particularly collagen, leading to tissue stiffening and organ dysfunction.
Anoikis: Programmed cell death triggered when anchorage-dependent cells lose contact with the extracellular matrix, preventing inappropriate survival of detached cells.
References
- Galectin-1, -2, and -3 Exhibit Differential Recognition of Sialylated Glycans and Blood Group Antigens*. Journal of Biological Chemistry (2008).
- Galectin-3 Activation and Inhibition in Heart Failure and Cardiovascular Disease: An Update. Theranostics (2018).
- Extracellular Galectin-3 in Tumor Progression and Metastasis. Frontiers in Oncology (2014).
- Interaction between circulating galectin-3 and cancer-associated MUC1 enhances tumour cell homotypic aggregation and prevents anoikis. Molecular Cancer (2010).
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